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A peer reviewed study from the Federation University in Ballarat has confirmed what nearly everyone knew, that ads placed on piracy sites are high risk and should never be clicked on.

As defined in the study, "high risk" categories are pornography-based (sometimes child), malware or complete scam and fraud sites.

The study had researchers analyzing the "top 500 Google-upheld copyrighted complaints for movies and TV distributed by major Hollywood studios and then analyzing 10 sites from each complaint sampled for all ads displayed," notes Mumbrella.

Only one percent of ads on the illicit sites were found to be for mainstream brands such as banks and retailers, with the most often found advertiser being Quibids.com, the legitimate auction/bidding site.

To avoid re-targeting during the study (where a user's cookies and other past history helps bring up targeted ads), the researchers did not store cookies. "We eyeballed all the ads and classified it as either mainstream or high risk. In terms of methodology every time we took a new page capture we didn't store any cookies. There was nothing in a virtual browser which recorded where we had been eliminated that potential for retargeting by Google etc."

As demand for its high-end devices stagnate, Samsung is offering up to $600 worth of freebies with its new Galaxy S5 flagship device.

Among the offerings are a PayPal voucher, a LinkedIn premium account and multiple fitness apps. In addition, other packages include six months free to the WSJ, 12 months free for Bloomberg Businessweek and other applications, as well.

Samsung says it expects S5 sales to hit 10 million units within 25 days, basing that figure on its pre-orders.

"The Galaxy S5 was designed to offer consumers the most advanced tool to help improve their everyday lives," Shin Jong Kyun, CEO Samsung Mobile, said in a statement. "These new partnerships perfectly compliment this mission with a comprehensive offering of some of the world's best mobile resources to suit people's active lives."

Last year, it was reported that Microsoft was working on a "Mini" version of their Surface tablet, one that would be between 7 and 8 inches in size, just like the standard bearer in the market, the 7.9-inch Apple iPad Mini.

According to a new report, the new Surface is already produced and ready to ship, but Microsoft is still working on how to market the tablet.

The device will look just like the full-sized 11.6-inch Surface tablets, potentially even including the built-in kickstand that allows for easier viewing.

While other tablets in the size range market themselves as media consumption devices (think iPad Mini, Nexus 7), Microsoft is said to be considering marketing the device as the "ultimate" in note-taking, adding OneNote and digital pen support.

It is unclear when the device will be officially launched, it is a safe bet that it Microsoft decides to go with the note taking route, then it will be available in time for the fall college semester.

For at least the last three years, LG has been working on its own ARM-based system-on-a-chip (SoC), and it appears that the chip may finally be headed to market.

The "Odin" octo-core SoC is rumored to run on four 2.2 GHz Cortex-A15s, along with an additional four Cortex-A7s, clocked at 1.7 GHz or lower.

LG is said to be using TSMC for production of Odin, which will use the standard 28nm manufacturing process.

If accurate, the company will send the chip into "mass production soon," although that time frame is unclear. The company supposedly had some issues with the final design, and stayed away from including the SoC with its flagship G3.

The Dutch Ministry of Security has ruled that downloading content from unauthorized sources is illegal, and does not fall under the Netherland's private copying regulations.

Downloading pirated content causes damages to copyright holders and also encourages broader sales of pirated works, says the court.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) was asked to make the decision after the Netherlands introduced a new levy on blank DVDs/Blu-rays, smartphones, set-tops and tablets as a way to compensate content holders for when consumers do private home copying of copyright protected content. The levy is three cents on discs, and up to €5 for devices.

Dutch film makers have argued that the levy is a good start, but cannot reverse the damages caused by unauthorized downloading and sharing. Film makers applauded the new ruling.

As of today, all downloading from illegal sites and other sources is now banned in the nations.

Google is using tax day to offer up its Glass Web-connected eyewear to the public for the first time.

On Tuesday, April 15th, the company will make a limited quantity available to the public, the first time the glasses are available to anyone outside of the Glass Explorer program.

"Every day we get requests from those of you who haven't found a way into the program yet, and we want your feedback too," Google said. "That's why next Tuesday, April 15th, we'll be trying our latest and biggest Explorer Program expansion experiment to date. We'll be allowing anyone in the U.S. to become an Explorer by purchasing Glass."

Google has never given a set time frame for a full consumer release of the glasses, but they are expected to launch the headset this year.

The launch should be a boost for manufacturers like Himax, who build the LCOS micro-displays used by Glass.

Nikon will be updating last year's first try at an Android point-and-shoot digital camera, showing off the new Coolpix S810C.

The camera is a successor to the S800c, and it should be an overall upgrade to its older brother. The new S810c runs on Android 4.2.2, has a 300mm equivalent zoom, 16MP sensor, a slimmer design and a larger 3.7-inch touchscreen display. The device also has a headphone jack

Most importantly, the camera can access the Google Play Store, giving users the ability to download apps, play games, check their emails, and edit photos easier (or upload them to Instagram).

In its previous incarnation, Nikon put forward a lackluster effort, with most consumers claiming the lag of the screen and the apps was intolerable. Hopefully, the company has executed better this time around.

The device will sell for $350 starting next month.

Google has announced that its Play Music service on Android devices now has native Sonos integration and support.

The new integration should allow for even easier streaming of your tracks to the hi-fi speaker system. Previously, you had to download the Sonos Controller app to cast the tracks directly to the speakers, so the new move should eliminate one step in your hectic day.

Sonos confirmed Google is the first major service to offer the native support, but there are likely to be more in the future if the feature becomes popular. "As we continue to invest in the way you experience and control your music at home, curating and managing an array of services across multiple rooms, the benefits of playing your music to Sonos directly from these very services is clear. In Google Play Music, we've found a great partner to bring this vision to life for the first time on a global scale. Together, we've created a music experience that shows how media, devices, and sound can seamlessly work together in the home," reads the Sonos blog post.

Google did note that you will still need the Controller app installed, even though you are not using it to control your music. Google Play will give you the option to select which speaker you want to the music to come from, and also which system you want it to play from, if you have a multi-room setup.

If KGI Securities analyst Ming Chi Kuo is to be believed, Apple may be headed for a huge upgrade and new product cycle this year.

Kuo, in a note to clients, provided an expected product roadmap for the year, which includes a handful of new devices. Kuo has connections in Apple's supply chain, and has been relatively accurate in the past with his notes, at least compared to most.

If true, Apple will release two iPhone 6, one at 4.7-inches and the other at 5.5-inches, huge upgrades from the current 4-inch screens of its iPhone 5, 5c and 5s.

The iWatch, rumored for over three years now, will finally be released, as well, in two sizes. Most likely this means men and women will have slightly different models.

Finally, the Apple TV will be upgraded, as will the iPad Air, iPad Mini, iMac and MacBooks, which will allegedly be getting slimmer.

All of the products are slated for the end of the Q2 all the way until the end of the Q4.

Nintendo has revealed narrower time frames for the release of the new Super Smash Bros on its consoles.

The company revealed more info during a 39-minute Nintendo Direct presentation earlier this week.

Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai confirmed that the 3DS version will be released ahead of its console counterpart, with the handheld game reaching shelves over the summer compared to the Wii U version hitting sometime during the winter.

Between the game, there will be some differences, most notably the stages. Additionally, the 3DS will have a 'Smash Run' mode, but the rosters are completely the same.

There will most likely be added features for the Wii U console given its later date and to incentivize gamers to possible wait for it.

Nokia has unveiled its new 225 phone for the emerging markets, a device the company calls its "slimmest Internet phone" to date.

Selling for just EUR39 ($54), Nokia is making the device available in five colorways starting in the Q2.

The phone has a 2.8-inch screen and will come pre-loaded with the company's Xpress Browser, which is based in the cloud and helps to optimize sites for speedier performance on 2G/3G networks. The phone has a 2MP camera, a microSD slot, a dust and splash proof keymat, and dual band 900/1800MHz network support.

In addition, the device will come with Facebook and Twitter apps and five older games: Block Breaker 3, Asphalt 6, Assassins Creed 3, The Avengers and Real Football 2012.

Nokia has promised single and dual SIM models and up to 36 days of standby time. The operating system is Series 30+, meaning Nokia has stayed away from Windows Phone here.

Motorola Mobility, which was recently sold by Google to Lenovo, has named its new president and Chief Operating Officer (COO).

The executive will replace Dennis Woodside, who was CEO for MM while it was owned by Google. Woodside recently moved to Dropbox to become COO for the cloud storage startup.

Osterloh has been leading product management at Motorola for the past two years, and joined the company seven years ago via Motorola's acquisition of mobile security solutions provider Good Technology in 2007. The executive then worked at Skype overseeing design before it was acquired by Microsoft, when he then returned to Motorola.

"Since his return, Rick's had a key role in the company's reinvigoration," reads a Google post. "He's been a guiding visionary on the entire product front and a passionate advocate for our philosophy to focus everything we do on the consumer experience.

T-Mobile, in their ongoing efforts to turnaround the U.S. carrier market, has offered a new plan for budget-conscious consumers.

The new "Simple Starter" plan offers unlimited text, talk and 500MB of 2G/3G/4G data for just $40 per month. The data is a strong cap, unlike T-Mobile's other plans which offer unlimited data but the speeds are throttled to 2G after the stated amount.

If you reach 500MB, you will be prompted to purchase additional data via a day or week pass, but you will not be able to use any more mobile data.

Besides the cap, there are a few more limitations, as well. The Simple Starter cannot be added to family plans, and you will not have access to T-Mobile's new, free global roaming and international texting. You can, however, use the Jump program for quicker handset upgrades, and the plan also qualifies for zero down interest-free financing like T-Mobile's other plans.

Jony Ive, Apple's SVP of Design, may be behind the departure of another high-ranking Apple executive.

Human Interface VP Greg Christie will be leaving Apple after over twenty years, reportedly because of intense infighting between himself and Ive. Ive was also reportedly behind the firing of Scott Forstall in 2012, another executive that was close to former CEO Steve Jobs, but was said to have had friction with many co-workers.

Christie led the design of the new iOS 7 interface, and also played a prominent role in the "Slide to Unlock" feature of the iPhone.

While Christie was in charge of Apple software design, Ive received an expanded role in late 2012. The two did not agree on the direction of iOS 7, however, and Ive then reportedly took control of the design himself, undermining Christie's leadership.

Apple confirmed the move: "Greg has been planning to retire later this year after nearly 20 years at Apple. He has made vital contributions to Apple products across the board, and built a world-class Human Interface team which has worked closely with Jony for many years."

According to Microsoft, if you are a business trying to update Windows via the Windows Server Update Services, you will temporarily be unable to do so due to a new bug.

The bug was preventing business users from seeing future updates when using the service, so Microsoft deciding to rollback the update for the time being.

Says the software giant of the issue: "There is a known issue which causes some PCs updated with the Windows 8.1 Update (KB 2919355) to stop scanning against Windows Server Update Services 3.0 Service Pack 2 (WSUS 3.0 SP2 or WSUS 3.2) servers which are configured to use SSL and have not enabled TLS 1.2."

Of course, you can still get the update manually, through the Windows Update Catalog or via standard MDSN. Naturally, Microsoft does not recommend getting the update until it is patched.

If you still want the update, you can avoid the bug by disabling HTTPS on WSUS and then re-enabling it once the patch is finally released.

Source:
WSUS Product Team Blog